Studied opinion is that Modi’s attempt to buy time is linked directly to former board chief AC Muthiah moving the Supreme Court alleging a conflict of interest in the case of N Srinivasan, who in his capacity as managing director of India Cements Ltd is the owner of the Chennai Super Kings.

Deccan Herald had reported two days ago that BCCI chief Shashank Manohar on April 19 informed Modi and other members of the governing council of the need for an emergent GC meeting “in view of the ongoing situation with regard to the functioning of the IPL and the various allegations levelled against the functioning of the IPL.”

Modi’s proposal for the meeting to be put off to May 1 citing the need for time to prepare was shot down by Manohar, who reiterated that the “issues are serious” and reflect badly on the BCCI/IPL. “You had seven days to prepare your explanations,” Manohar had written.
That had evoked an angry and confrontational reply from Modi. “The IPL has been given the powers by the general body to hold their own meetings. As the honorary secretary is a conflicted party who owns a team, he has never and can now too not call a GC meeting,” Modi wrote.

“If the meeting does go ahead on the 26th of April instead of 1st of May, it will deemed unofficial. I do not propose to attend any unauthorised meeting.”

Now, by himself convening the meeting, Modi has made it an “authorised” meeting. If rumours that he could be slapped with suspension between now and the start of the meeting are unfounded, he will also chair Monday’s proceedings, which are unlikely to be anything but acrimonious.